ABOUT THE BOOK
An ancient secret hidden within a mother’s song …When young widow, Marie-Ange Norton is invited to Beauregard in France by the mysterious Monsieur Malleval to collect an inheritance, she has no choice but to accept.
But when she embarks on the voyage with her fiery-tempered travelling companion Capitaine Hugo Saintclair, little does she know what waits for her across the sea in turbulent nineteenth-century France on the eve of Napoleon’s return from exile. When she arrives, she is taken aback by Malleval’s fascination with her family – seemingly inspired by his belief they are connected to a sacred relic he’s read about in coded manuscripts by the Knights Templar.
As it becomes clear that Malleval’s obsession has driven him to madness, Marie-Ange is horrified to realise she is more the man’s prisoner than his guest. Not only that, but Hugo is the only person who might be able to help her, and he could represent a different kind of danger …
This was previously published as Angel Heart by Accent Press in 2015. This is a revised, edited and updated version. Published February 2021 by Choc Lit.
PURCHASE LINK
MY REVIEW
This was a fascinating piece of historical fiction – full of intrigue, mystery and romance – that takes you on a thrilling adventure through France in the search of hidden treasure!
Marie-Ange is at the centre of the story, a widow for 6 years and now set to travel to France for a family inheritance that is much needed. It isn’t right for a woman to travel alone, so she is set to be accompanied by Capitaine Saintclair, a dashing escort to say the least, but with a bit of a brusque attitude so sparks fly almost instantly! And is there more to his role than he is letting on to Marie?!
I loved the setting of this whole story – the political landscape of France is changing fast over there, and there is seemingly danger round every corner! She sees a face from the past which really rocks her while she is travelling, and then meeting her long lost relative adds more intrigue as he is obsessed by a piece of treasure and seems set to go to extreme lengths to get his hands on it, no matter the consequences. Marie-Ange needs to keep her wits about her, and knowing who to trust is a minefield of its’ own!
This was such fun and quite tense too! You really get involved in the history and supernatural elements of the storyline, and the hold that the Templar Knights legend has over everyone is clear for all to see. Hugo is a pretty mysterious character as he escorts her around France, and you’re always second guessing his motives but the connection between them is pretty electric and you’re always willing them to find happiness – amongst the madness!!
★★★★★
Books and Me! 